Jacob’s sound is fading. As sound fades it becomes confused. The sound of the narrative is confused. Jacob declares Joseph’s sons as his own. But when he sees them he asks “Who are these”.
He pronounces blessings on Joseph and his sons. And the younger son is given the more important blessing. (Vs19.)
Joseph is given an extra bit of land in the promise.
As Jacob’s sound fades he transgresses convention.
The younger son (Ephraim) is given the blessing. (Vs17).
He gives Joseph extra land.
But then Jacob the grasper stole Esau’s blessing sound away from him.
He also tricked his way into gaining much wealth.
So it’s the continuing of a pattern. And yet as it fades we wonder: what else will be heard?